Canadian Work Permits

Common Work Permit Scenarios

Canadian Work Permit Types

Work Permit Primary Benefits

• You can live and work in Canada.
• You can accumulate work experience in Canada to qualify for permanent residence in Canada.
• You may bring your spouse and children to Canada.
• You and your family may be eligible for the provincial health care plan and enjoy public health care benefits.
• Your children may be eligible for domestic tuition in public educational institutions.

Work Permit Requirements

Employer Specific Work Permit Requirements

To qualify for an employer-specific work permit, you must obtain a copy of the employment contract and one of the following:

• A Labour Market Impact Assessment (See below: LMIA) if required, OR
• If you are LMIA-exempt, your employer needs to use the employer portal to apply for an offer of employment number.

Many LMIA-exempt work permits are based on your employers, country of citizenship, professional background, etc. We listed the following primary types of LMIA-exempt work permits:

• International agreements, arrangements or non-trade agreements, such as CUSMA, GATS, etc, which can include professionals, traders and investors.
• Agreement between Canada and a province or territory, such as Significant Investment projects, Atlantic Immigration Program, etc.
• Canadian interests, such as Significant Benefit work permit, Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) for executive, senior, or functional manager, ICT for specialized knowledge, ICT for employees starting a branch or affiliate, self-employed, workers under Mobilité francophone, etc.
• Reciprocal employment, such as coaches and athletes, exchange academics, etc.
• Designated by the Minister, such as academic researchers, visiting professors, guest lectures, medical residents and fellows etc.
• Charitable or religious work (not including volunteer work), such as religious worker or leader.

Open Work Permit Requirements

To qualify for an open work permit, you must meet specific criteria:

• You may be eligible for an open work permit if you are an international student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
• You may be eligible for an open work permit if you are a student who can no longer meet the costs of your studies (destitute student).
• You have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada.
• You have applied for permanent residence in Canada and may be eligible for a bridge open work permit.
• You are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence.
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student. You may be eligible for a spouse open work permit if the skilled worker or international student meets certain requirements.
• You are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
• You are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member.
• You are under an unenforceable removal order.
• You are a temporary resident permit holder.
• You are a young worker participating in special programs, such as working holidays.

Work Permit Application Process

The majority of work permit applications can be submitted online. When submitting an online application, we complete the application forms and compile all supporting documents based on your provided information.

After a positive decision is rendered:

• If you have applied inside Canada, you will receive your work permit by mail.
• If you have applied outside Canada and are from a visa-exempt country, an electronic travel authorization (eTA) will be issued along with the confirmation letter. You will then receive your work permit at the Canadian port of entry when you travel to Canada.
• If you have applied from outside Canada and are from a visa-required country, you will receive an original passport request letter to affix the visa to your passport, you will then be able to travel to Canada to receive your work permit at the Canadian port of entry.

Nationals of certain countries may be able to apply for a work permit directly at a Canadian port of entry. Your lawyer will compile the necessary documents and provide the final package to bring with you. An officer will examine your package at the port of entry. If a positive decision is rendered, you will receive your work permit then and there.

Work Permit Processing Times

Processing times differ depending on the country you apply from and the method of application. Online work permit applications may take up to 6 months to process, while port-of-entry applications are usually obtained immediately.

Work Permit Processing Fees

For up-to-date fees, please visit the Government of Canada’s Fee List.